Category Archives: Plants

Hilo Orchid Show

A view of Hilo Orchid show, Hawaii

Last week was the annual Hilo Orchid Show. It’s been on my list of things to see for a long time, but I’ve been adept at missing it, either because I forgot to make a note of the date, or because I was working. This year though, purely by chance, I got it on my calendar and headed over to Hilo.

An orchid display at Hilo Orchid show, Hawaii
An orchid display at Hilo Orchid show, Hawaii
An orchid display at Hilo Orchid show, Hawaii

The show was held in Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium, a covered tennis arena that’s open to the air at both ends. I have to say, it was well worth the trip. Only $6 to get in and lots of orchid growers with stalls there too, so there was a golden opportunity to part ways with several hundred dollars more, which I resisted. But best of all was the stunning array of orchids on display. It wasn’t hard to see how people can become obsessed with these beautiful and exotic plants.

Wooden birds at Hilo Orchid show, Hawaii

For more information about the show and the Hilo Orchid Society, which organizes it, go to https://www.hiloorchidsociety.org/.

A Cymbidium orchid at Hilo Orchid show, Hawaii
Cymbidium orchid
A Phalaenopsis cornu cervi 'Lucky Red' orchid at Hilo Orchid show, Hawaii
Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi ‘Lucky Red’
A Zygopetalum Ubae Bae 'Blue Velvet' orchid at Hilo Orchid show, Hawaii
Zygopetalum Ubae Bae ‘Blue Velvet’

The Numbers Game #32

Two stores in Hawi not working out as neighbors (original story here).

The idea of The Numbers Game is to enter a number into the search bar of your computer and then post a selection of the photos that turn up. This week’s number is 153. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

A junction near Kawaihae. Original story here.
SV Kwai in harbor.
Arrows sprout on Kohala Mountain Road. Original story here.
Papa looking relaxed.
A Nothern Mockingbird looking intense.
Two geckos looking perplexed.

Photos afloat

A tug and barge enter Kawaihae Harbor in Hawaii
A tug and barge enter Kawaihae Harbor in the early morning hours.

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Afloat.’ See more responses here. Let’s start with boats.

Strong winds whip up whitecaps in Kawaihae Harbor in Hawaii
Even in a sheltered harbor, staying afloat isn’t always easy.
A Coast Guard buoy ship in the waters off Hawaii
A U.S. Coastguard ship servicing buoys outside Kawaihae Harbor.
Canoe paddlers head towards the shore off the coast of Hawaii
Canoe paddlers head for shore.

But they’re not the only floating things.

A Hawaiian Coot swims in a lagoon in Hawaii
A Hawaiian Coot afloat in a pond, oblivious to the need for a bit of personal grooming.
A diver down flag in the waters off Hawaii
In the U.S. this flag signals, “I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed.”
Lily pads and reflections in Lily Lake at Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden
Lily pads floating on Lily Lake at Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden.

The Numbers Game #31

A pueo snags a meal. A favorite encounter of mine, the original post ran here.

The idea of The Numbers Game is to enter a number into the search bar of your computer and then post a selection of the photos that turn up. This week’s number is 152. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

Lights on the water.
Hualalai seen over a sea of clouds.
The Super Blood Wolf Moon hangs over Hawi.
Thank goodness it’s parked!
The iceman cometh.
A Japanese white-eye perches on the stem of a Japanese aloe flower
A Japanese White-eye on a Japanese Aloe, another favorite photo of mine.

The Numbers Game #30

Kite flying over Upolu.

The idea of The Numbers Game is to enter a number into the search bar of your computer and then post a selection of the photos that turn up. This week’s number is 151. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

A Praying Mantis giving me the look.
A tiny fish wonders what the big lump is in its tide pool.
A gecko chilling at the Pepsi machine.
A Pacific Beetle Cockroach.
Clouds gather around a tree on the slopes of Mauna Kea.
An endangered Palila contemplates a snack.

Royal Palms

Royal Palms at Hapuna Resort, Hawaii
Royal Palms at Hapuna Resort, Hawaii

Royal Palms (Roystonea regia) are impressive trees. They grow up to 70 feet high, and are always upright. Their gray trunks are topped by a crown of leaves and, unlike Coconut Palms, they’re not going to drop bombs on your head while taking the top photo.